JACKSON, Mississippi -- Former Mississippi Supreme Court Justice William Joel Blass has died, four days after his 95th birthday.

A court spokeswoman said in a statement that Blass, of Pass Christian, died Tuesday but did not provide further details. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Former Gov. Ray Mabus appointed Blass to fill a vacancy in 1989. He served through December 1990 but was defeated in his bid for a full term by Justice Chuck McRae.

Chancery Judge Jim Persons, of Gulfport, says Blass touched all parts of the legal profession -- lawyer, law professor, legal scholar and judge. He also represented Stone County in the state Legislature for seven years.

The court's chief justice, Bill Waller Jr., of Jackson, says Blass lived "professionalism by example and was an inspiration to attorneys and judges."